Sollers starts releasing LCVs under its own brand at former joint enterprise with Ford in Tatarstan

YELABUGA. Nov 26 (Interfax) - Russia's Sollers automobile construction group has started producing light commercial vehicles (LCVs) under its own brand of the same name at the plant of the former joint enterprise with the United States' Ford concern based in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, an Interfax correspondent reported on Saturday.

Production of two models of the Sollers LCVs, the Atlant cab-beside-engine truck and the Argo cab-over-engine truck, has started at the Sollers Alabuga plant. Production was launched in participation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov, President of Russia's internal republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and Sollers top managers.

The Sollers Atlant LCVs have the gross weight of 2.5-2.2 tonnes and are equipped with a Euro 5 diesel engine of 139 or 150 hp.

The Sollers Argo LCVs have the gross weight of 2.5-2.2 tonnes and offer the choice of a Euro 5 diesel engine of 130 hp or a Euro 5 gasoline engine of 147 hp. The model is marketed as a compact car for urban drives.

Sollers has not named its technological partner in production.

According to its vehicle type approval certificate, Argo is equipped with a chassis produced by China's JAC automobile concern.

Sollers launched the new production at the Sollers Alabuga plant using capacities of its former joint enterprise with Ford after the concern left the Russian market.